Market Update
The Sensex closed at an all-time high Friday as it surpassed its recent election-day high even as other markets around the region awaited cues from the monthly U.S. jobs report due later today.
The Nikkei ended flat. The Shanghai Composite was down half a percent while the Hang Seng also declined 0.7%. The Sensex gained 1.5% to a new record as the new Indian government took a series of rapid steps and demonstrated solid intent towards fulfilling its poll promises. The All Ordinaries was up 0.4%.
Earlier Friday, the World Bank said China is likely to meet its economic growth target of 7.5% this year but it must persevere with fiscal and financial sector reforms. The World Bank noted growth could slow to around 7.5% in 2015.
The IMF said Thursday it expected a growth rate of 7.5% this year which would slow to around 7% next year.
Stocks on the Move
Softbank was down 1.6% as its Sprint unit reportedly moved closer to agreeing a deal to purchase T-Mobile US.
Tokyo Gas was down 1.1%. The Nikkei reported the company was raising its bond issuance and also looking at other ways of raising funds.
Sharp Corp. extended gains as it rose a further 2% on the back of a broker upgrade yesterday.
Sony was down 0.8% but Toshiba gained almost a percent. NEC edged 0.3% lower while Kyocera and Canon were also down about half a percent each. Hitachi was down 1.2%.
In Hong Kong, Shimao Property Holdings fell 3.3% after reporting a drop in May sales.
Evergrande Real Estate Group ended 0.8% lower as it gave up about half of yesterday’s gains.
On its trading debut, Qingdao Port International dipped below its IPO price on concerns after a probe into metal financing at the port.
Italian fashion house Prada sank 6.8% after the company signaled a possible cut in full-year estimates after a drop in first-quarter sales in its key Europe and Asia markets.
Casino stocks were all in the red as Wynn Macau and Galaxy Entertainment dropped 2.4% and 1.9% each, respectively on the back of lower than expected revenue data earlier this week.
The Sensex extended yesterday’s closing record as heavyweight stocks moved higher. State-owned explorer ONGC zoomed 10.6% after the government said it will decide on raising natural gas prices by July 1. Refiner Reliance Industries jumped 3% while natural gas supplier Gail India ended 7.5% higher.
Other gainers included Hero MotoCorp, up 3.7%, HDFC, up 3%, M&M, up 2.5%, Bajaj Auto, up 2.3%, and Cipla, up 2.2%.
Outside the Sensex, sugar producer Bajaj Hindusthan added 9.8% after a minister said the government may increase subsidy on overseas shipments.
In Sydney, Sundance Resources fell 13% after the company said it had appointed African engineering firm Mota-Engil Africa to build the $3.5 billion port and rail facilities for its iron-ore project along the Cameroon-Congo border.
Fortescue Metals fell 2.8% while Atlas Iron also weakened 2.9%.